99-CON-DYN/M0042

Februari 2001
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JCSS-OSTL-02-5-98

JCSS PROBABILISTIC MODEL CODE

PART 2 - LOAD MODELS

2.1 SELF WEIGHT

Table of contents:
2.1.1.
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.5

Introduction
Basic model
Probability density distribution functions
Weight density
Volume

List of symbols:
d
V

= correlation length
= volume described by the boundary of the structural part

av
o
r

= weight density of the material.

= average weight density for a structural part
= correlation between two far away points in one member
= distance between two points within a member

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2.1.1 Introduction

The self weight concerns the weight of structural and non-structural components. The main
characteristics of the self weight can be described as follows:
- The probability of occurrence at an arbitrary point-in-time is close to one
- The variability with time is normally negligible
- The uncertainties of the magnitude is normally small in comparison with other kinds of loads.
Concerning the uncertainties one can distinguish between (hierarchical model):
- variability within a structural part
- variability between different structural parts of the same structure
- variability between various structures
The variability within a structural part is normally small and can often be neglected. However, for
some types of problem (c.g. static equilibrium) it may be important.
2.1.2 Basic model
The self weight, G, of a structural part is determined by the relation
G =

dV

(1)

Vol

where:
V is the volume described by the boundary of the structural part. The volume of V is Vol.
is the weight density of the material.
For a part where the material can be assumed to be reasonably homogeneous eq. (1) can be written
G = av V

(2)

where
av is an average weight density for the part (see further section 2.1.4).

2.1.3

Probability density distribution functions

The weight density and the dimensions of a structural part are assumed to have Gaussian distributions.
To simplify the calculations the self weight, G, may as an approximation be assumed to have a
Gaussian distribution.

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2.1.4 Weight density

Total variability
Mean values, , and coefficients of variation, V , for the total variability of the weight density of
some common building materials are given in table 2.1.1.
Table 2.1.1. Mean value and coefficient of variation for weight density 1)
Material
Steel
Concrete
Ordinary concrete 2)
High strength concrete
Lightweight aggregate concrete
Cellular concrete
Heavy concrete for special purposes
Masonry
Timber 3)
Spruce, fir (Picea)
Pine (Pinus)
Larch (Larix)
Beech (Fagus)
Oak (Quercus)
1)
2)

3)

4)

Mean value
[kN/m3]
77

Coefficient
of variation
< 0.01

24
24-26 4)

0.04
0.03
0.04-0.08
0.05-0.10
0.01-0.02
0.05

4.4
5.1
6.6
6.8
6.5

0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10

4)
4)
4)

The values refer to large populations. They are based on data from various sources.
The values are valid for concrete without reinforcement and with stable moisture content. In case
of continuous drying under elevated temperature the stable volume weight after 50 days is 1.0-1.5
kN/m3 lower.
Moisture content 12%. An increase in moisture content from 12% to 22% causes a 10% rise in
weight density.
Depends on mix, composition and treatment

Spatial correlations
Between densities of two points within one member, the following correlation can considered to be
present:
(r) = o + (1-o) exp {-(r/d)2}

(3)

where
d
r
o

is a so called correlation length which characterises the correlation structures

is the distance between two points within a member
correlation between two far away points in one member

Only correlation in the length dimensions of a structural part are of importance. For beams the weight
density over the cross section and for plates over the height may be considered as fully correlated.
Between points in two different members, but within one building, a constant correlation m is assumed
to be present.

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In the absence of more detailed information the following values can be used:
d

10 m (beam/column)
6 m (plate)
3 m (volume)
0.85
0.70

o
m

Note: For large members the variability of the weight density may be taken as V o; for a whole
structure consisting out of many members the variability may be taken as V m , where V is the total
variability according to table 2.1.1.
2.1.5 Volume
In most cases it may be assumed that the mean values of the dimensions are equal to the nominal values
i.e. the dimensions given on drawings, in descriptions etc. The mean value of the volume, V, of the
structural parts is calculated directly from the mean values of the dimensions.
The standard deviation of the volume, V, is calculated directly from the values of the standard deviation
for the dimensions. Standard deviations for cross section dimensions are given in table 2.1.2 for some
common building materials and types of structural elements.

Table 2.1.2.

Mean values and standard deviations for deviations of cross-section dimensions from
their nominal values.

Structure or structural member

Rolled steel
steel profiles, area A
steel plates, thickness t
Concrete members 2)
anom < 1000 mm
anom > 1000 mm
Masonry members
unplastered
plastered
Structural timber
sawn beam or strut
laminated beam, planed
1)

2)

Mean value

Standard deviation

0.01 Anom
0.01 tnom

0.04 Anom
0.02 tnom

0.003 anom
3 mm

4 + 0.006 anom
10 mm

0.02 anom
0.02 anom

0.04 anom
0.02 anom

0.05 anom
0

2 mm
1 mm

The values refer to large populations. They are based on data from various sources and they
concern members with currency acceptation dimension accuracy.
The values are valid for concrete members cast in situ. For concrete members produced in a
factory the deviations may be considerably smaller.

The variability within a component (e.g. the variability of the cross section area along a beam)
may be treated according to the same principles that is presented for the weight density in section 2.1.4.
Reference

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CIB W81, Actions on Stuctures, Self weight, Report no. 115, Rotterdam